What If I Don't Sweat?

Should you be concerned if you don’t sweat during a workout?

Short answer? Yes.

Sweating is your body’s signal that your internal cooling system is working appropriately, and lack of sweat could indicate an underlying thyroid issue.

Here are some other signs that your thyroid could be sluggish:

1. You are tired all the time. The thyroid is what regulates your energy, so lack of a proper functioning thyroid means your cells are not getting the energy they need to perform.

2. You are cold all the time. Are you that person that wears a sweater in the summer? You could have a thyroid issue. The thyroid is like your internal thermostat, and lack of body temperature regulation is a major symptom of thyroid issues.

3. Your hair is falling out or breaking off. Brittle hair, thinning or irritated skin, and dry hair and skin indicates your cells are not getting the energy they need to regenerate. Time to get that thyroid checked.
   

Sweating may not always feel great, but it’s a great indicator of a well functioning system. If you can get through an entire 30-60 minute without a drop of sweat, I recommend asking for a complete thyroid panel blood test to check for hypothyroidism or other thyroid condition.

In the meantime, don’t “sweat it”. Here’s some tips to help increase thyroid function:

1. Avoid foods that slow down the thyroid such as soy, artificial sweeteners like Splenda, and PUFA (polyunsaturated fats like soybean oil, vegetable oils, canola, corn, and margarine).

2. Get adequate sleep. Going to bed thirty minutes earlier can mean a big difference in the functioning of your thyroid the following day. Rest is when our body repairs our vital organs.

3. Consider a multi-mineral supplement. Minerals are critical to the thyroid’s function, specifically zinc and selenium.

4. Red light therapy. Studies show red light therapy is a safe and effective way to naturally boost the thyroid’s ability to regulate.

5. Sunlight. Daily sunlight exposure is wonderful for the thyroid, as it regulates the circadian rhythm of the body and helps to regulate the thyroid. Early morning sunlight is best exposing the thyroid for 5-10 minutes to the natural full spectrum light of the sun.

6. Re-consider that keto diet. Low carb diets have been shown to slow the thyroid down, but good quality carbs like fruit can help to the boost thyroid production.

In short, if you aren’t sweating, it may not be that you aren’t working hard enough, but it may actually mean that your thyroid isn’t.